Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promised a “tough response” to the attack in the southeastern city of Kerman.
Nearly 100 people were killed and over 200 others injured in two explosions at a ceremony in Iran commemorating the death of top commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020.
Wednesday's attacks occurred in the southeastern city of Kerman along the road leading to the Kerman Martyrs' Cemetery.
Although no one has claimed responsibility and it was not immediately clear what caused the explosions, Iranian officials have blamed it on a “terrorist attack.”
“The evil and criminal enemies of the Iranian nation have once again caused a catastrophe and martyred a large number of loved ones in Kerman,” Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement. “This disaster will have a harsh response, God willing.”
In a statement, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said: “Undoubtedly, the perpetrators… of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished by the capable security and law enforcement forces for their heinous act.” The nation's enemies should know that such actions never betray the firm resolve of the Iranian nation.”
Here are some global reactions after the deadly explosions.
People disperse near the site where a crowd was hit by two explosions, near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in the southern Iranian city of Kerman [Mehr News/AFP]European Union
The EU called for the perpetrators of the two explosions to be brought to justice and condemned the attack.
“The EU strongly condemns today's bomb attack on the Iranian city of Kerman. The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people. “This terrorist attack has caused a shocking number of civilian deaths and injuries,” an EU foreign policy spokesman said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are now with the victims and their families. The perpetrators must be held accountable.”
Hezbollah
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, said those who commemorated Soleimani's death were “targeted.”
He added that those who died were “martyrs who died on the same path, the same cause and the same battle waged by Soleimani.”
Houthis
The Yemeni group condemned what it called “criminal bombings” on the day Soleimani died.
“This heinous crime is an extension of all crimes that have sought to undermine the Islamic Republic, its role in combating global arrogance, its embrace of the country's central cause and its support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon.” says a statement.
Iraq
The government issued a statement condemning the explosion, calling it a “terrorist attack in Kerman.”
“As a sign of solidarity, our government stands with Iran and expresses its support for both the Iranian government and its people during this difficult time.”
“Iraq expresses its willingness to offer various forms of assistance to mitigate the impact of this cowardly criminal act.”
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his condolences and solidarity with Malaysia to Iran and its people.
Anwar said Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the attack and “any form of violence against innocents” and urged that “the mastermind of this violent action be brought to justice.”
Russia
President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the Iranian leadership, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing a Kremlin statement.
Putin condemned “terrorism in all its forms” and said the attack on peaceful people was “shocking in its cruelty and cynicism.”
Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and condemned the attack.
“We are deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attacks in Iran’s Kerman province. May God have mercy on those who lost their lives in the attacks and I wish those injured a speedy recovery,” he said in a post on X.
“I express my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.”
United Nations
UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences to those killed and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s attack on a memorial ceremony in the city of Kerman in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which reportedly killed more than 100 people and injured many more,” his spokesman said in a statement.
“The Secretary General calls for those responsible to be held accountable. The Secretary General expresses his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery.”
United States
US officials rejected any suggestion that Israel or its ally Israel were behind the deadly attacks in Iran. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike four years ago.
“The United States was in no way involved, and any claim to the contrary is ridiculous,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said of Wednesday’s explosions.
“We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion,” he added during a daily news conference. Separately, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US had seen no signs that Israel was behind the attacks.
“We express our condolences to the victims and their families who lost their lives in this terrible explosion,” Miller said.